The BES program’s four areas of concentration reflect the Faculty’s broad understanding of environmental studies. Their coherence is established with scholarly, professional and pragmatic considerations. Students use these areas of concentration to help define their own path through the program.

Environment and Culture: Arts, Philosophy, and Technology and Education

This area focuses on the conceptual, historical and cultural roots of human/nature relations and on diverse ways of understanding, expressing and engaging these relations through environmental arts, education, literature, philosophy and other cultural and technological interventions.

Note: ES/ENVS 3900 and/or ES/ENVS 4900 directed reading/study courses do not fulfill the area of concentration requirements, unless prior approval is received by the undergraduate program director.

Urban and Regional Environments: Analysis, Planning and Design

This area of concentration focuses on the interrelationships of the ecological, social, built and organizational environments within the urban and regional setting. It is the intention of this area to provide a critical understanding of urban and regional environments incorporated at different scales of build environments, spanning site-specific to global perspectives. By doing this students will attain a thorough knowledge of the alternative and transformative-based theories, histories and current issues of urbanization and regionalization and their effect on environments, but also learn practical methods of analysis and intervention in different human settlements.

Note: ES/ENVS 3900 and/or ES/ENVS 4900 directed reading/study courses do not fulfill the area of concentration requirements, unless prior approval is received by the undergraduate program director.

Environmental Politics: Development, Globalization and Justice

Communities and environments are being dramatically transformed by the globalization of economies and cultures. This area is concerned with the analysis of these forces and possible responses to them at local, regional, national and international levels. It involves exploring competing approaches to development, politics and justice that are being formulated and put into practice by a variety of social groups, communities, NGOs, governments, corporations and international organizations.

Note: ES/ENVS 3900 and/or ES/ENVS 4900 directed reading/study courses do not fulfill the area of concentration requirements, unless prior approval is received by the undergraduate program director.

Environmental Management: Policy, Resources and Conservation

This area examines the origins and nature of environmental challenges facing society and explores ways of addressing these challenges through scientific, socio-economic and policy approaches. It is concerned with existing and emerging strategies for both preventing and managing the impacts of human activities on the natural world, but with critical perspectives on effectiveness of these strategies and encouragement to think and act creatively. It provides concepts, knowledge and skills needed to be effectively engaged in a variety of environmental issues in government, business or not-for-profit sectors.

Honours BES Degree Course Requirements - 120 Credits

Students must pass courses worth a minimum of 120 credits (equivalent to 20 full-year courses) in order to graduate with the Specialized Honours BES degree. At least 60 credits and a maximum of 90 credits shall be environmental studies courses. An overall grade point average of at least 5.00 (C+) must be maintained.

Students choose their courses in the Honours BES program according to the following requirements:

General education (12 credits):

Following York’s philosophy of undergraduate education, BES students are required to study in the humanities and natural sciences.

Humanities requirement: the BES humanities requirement can be satisfied by taking ES/ENVS 1800 6.00 or a 1000-level course (at least six credits) from the following: classical studies; English; French studies; history; humanities; languages, literature and linguistics or philosophy.

Science requirement: the science requirement is met by taking ES/ENVS 1500 6.00 Introduction to Environmental Science: The Web of Life.

Note: students who may or have declared environmental management as their area of concentration are required to take either ES/ENVS 1500 6.00 or an equivalent course to fulfill their science requirement.

Area of concentration requirement (at least 12 credits):

Faculty requirement (27 credits):

A minimum of 27 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level in environmental studies (ENVS) courses in addition to the above. Of these, at least nine credits must be at the 3000 level in the declared area of concentration and at least nine credits must be at the 4000 level in the declared area of concentration. The remaining nine credits will be satisfied by taking ES/ENVS 4000 6.00 or for the course-based option (CBO), two three-credit 4000-level courses student’s declared area of concentration to replace ES/ENVS 4000 6.00 and one other three-credit course at the 4000 level.

Notes:

Students choosing the Senior Honours Work option (ES/ENVS 4000 6.00), a research-based course, must complete either ES/ENVS 2009 3.00 or ES/ENVS 3010 3.00 or equivalent of either courses as long as the Faculty recognizes the alternative course. Furthermore, students must achieve a B+ (7.00) overall cumulative grade point average by the end of their third year (completion of 84-90 credits) to be approved in June prior to enrolling in ES/ENVS 4000 6.00.

Out-of-Faculty elective requirements (24 credits in student area of concentration):

In addition to the general education requirements, students must take 24 credits of electives outside of the Faculty. These courses are selected based on student’s interest and/or other combination program (e.g. double major or minor) requirements outside the BES program.

Free electives:

Students must take up to 27 credits from any undergraduate program (including FES). These courses are based on student’s interest (e.g. double major or minor or certificate programs) and/or other combination program requirements outside the BES program.

BES Degree Course Requirements - 90 Credits

Students will automatically be placed in the 90-credit bachelor program if they do not achieve or maintain the minimum grade requirements for the Specialized Honours degree program. Students registered for a Specialized Honours degree may choose to graduate with a 90-credit BES if they fulfill that program's requirements.

In order to graduate with a BES degree, a student must successfully complete 90 credits and achieve the minimum grade point average of 4.00 (C) as well as the requirements as outlined below:

General education (at least 12 credits):

Following York's philosophy of undergraduate education, BES students are required to study in humanities and the natural sciences.

Humanities requirement: the BES humanities requirement can be satisfied by taking ES/ENVS 1800 6.00 or a 1000-level course (at least six credits) from the following: classical studies; English; French studies; history; humanities; languages, literature and linguistics or philosophy.

Science requirement: the natural science requirement is met by taking ES/ENVS 1500 6.00 Introduction to Environmental Science: The Web of Life.

Note: students who may or have declared environmental management: policy, resources and conservation as their area of concentration are required to take either ES/ENVS 1500 6.00 or an equivalent course to fulfill their science requirement.

Area of concentration requirement (at least 12 credits):

Faculty requirement (24 credits):

A minimum of 24 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level in environmental studies (ENVS) courses in addition to the above. Of these, at least 12 credits must be in the student’s declared area of concentration; the remaining 12 credits must be taken in the context of the program checklist.

Out-of-Faculty elective requirements (12 credits):

In addition to the general education requirements, students must take 12 credits of electives outside of the Faculty. These courses are selected based on student’s interest and/or other combination program requirements outside the BES program.

Free electives:

Students must take up to 15 credits from any undergraduate program (including FES). These courses are selected based on student's interest and/or other combination program requirements outside the BES program.

Students pursuing the 90-credit bachelor in environmental studies are required to declare an area of concentration. Course selection will be determined through the normal academic advising and program checklist processes.

In addition to taking courses in the BES program, BES students have the opportunity to decide to specialize in a specific subject or combination of subjects. The area or primary concentration is known as the major. An area of secondary concentration (if any) is known as the minor. In such cases, an application must be made using the Program Change Request, available on the Program Change Web page at http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/program/change. This request is subject to approval based on your current academic standing. Each program sets the requirements for each double major or minor program with options available in the Faculties of Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Science, or the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD). BES students should consult the York University Undergraduate Calendar or the York University website (http://www.yorku.ca) for specific program requirements.

General Requirements

Regardless of the type of combination degree that is sought, Honours Double Major or Honours Major/Minor, all students will have a “home” Faculty; students enrolled in the Faculty of Environmental Studies will receive a BES degree upon successful completion of their program; students in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies will receive a BA; students in the AMPD will receive a BFA or BA; students in the Faculty of Health will receive a BA or BSc and students in the Faculty of Science will receive a BSc.

All students in these programs must maintain Honours standing; for AMPD and the Faculties of Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies or Science that will mean a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all courses including those in environmental studies; for Faculty of Environmental Studies students that will mean a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all courses including those in AMPD and the Faculties of Fine Arts, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies or Science. Students must meet the degree and program requirements of their home Faculty.

Degree Double Major Requirements in Environmental Studies

Students whose home Faculty is Health or Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, who want to pursue a major in environmental studies are required to complete 42 credits in environmental studies:

Degree Minor Requirements in Environmental Studies

Students whose home Faculty is AMPD, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies or Science, who want to pursue a minor in environmental studies, are required to complete 30 credits in environmental studies:

two full-courses (12 credits) in the “foundations” series at the 2000 level (2100, 2200, 2300 or 2400)

six credits at the 3000 level or higher

six credits at the 4000 level

In a major/minor program a course can count only once towards a major or minor credit.

Students should be aware that in order to complete the requirements of the Honours Double Major or Honours Major/Minor programs it may be necessary to complete more than 120 credits.

Second Major/Minor Options for BES Students

School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design

BES students may apply to do a minor in any of the disciplines within the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design with the exception of the Design program. Students should consult the York Undergraduate Calendar and visit the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design for information on specific programs at http://ampd.yorku.ca/.

Faculty of Health Studies

Faculty of Environmental Studies students pursuing an Honours Major in environmental studies may combine their program with an Honours Double Major or an Honours Major/Minor program with the Faculty of Health, subject to the following regulations.

Honours Double Major options may be pursued with the Faculty of Environmental Studies in the following Faculty of Health BA programs:

Kinesiology and Health Science

Psychology

Honours Minor options may be pursued with the Faculty of Environmental Studies in the following Faculty of Health BA programs:

Global Health

Health Policy

Health Management

Health Informatics

Kinesiology and Health Science

Psychology

Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies

Students in the BES program may apply to pursue an Honours Double Major program or an Honours Major/Minor program in many disciplines in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies along with their major in environmental studies. Second major programs are available with any seven- or eight-course major discipline. Minors may be pursued in several programs. For detailed information on requirements and application forms, please consult the departmental offices and York Undergraduate Calendar at http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/.

Faculty of Science

BES students who want to integrate their interest in environmental studies with science may apply to pursue an Honours Minor with the following Faculty of Science programs:

Biology

Chemistry

Earth and Atmospheric Science

Mathematics

Physics and Astronomy

Students who intend to apply to any of these programs must complete relevant science courses in high school and take their University first-year environmental science course from Faculty of Science instead of the ES/ENVS 1500 6.00 course offered in FES. For detailed information, please consult the York Undergraduate Calendar at: http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/.

Faculty of Education Concurrent Education Program

The Faculty of Education at York University offers the BEd degree in both a consecutive program and a concurrent program, where students who are enrolled in the BES program may apply to coregister in the Faculty of Education.

BES students may apply to enter the concurrent program in their third year of studies or directly (pre-education direct entry) from high school. Candidates admitted to the Concurrent Education program would add a minimum of two years to their undergraduate studies. Successful candidates then work to complete their BES program in addition to completing their education studies for a bachelor of education degree.

Admission requirements for the Concurrent Education program:

Students can apply to the Concurrent BEd from high school (Pre-Education Direct Entry) or after completing 60 or 90 credits of university study;

Must have a minimum C+ overall average or Honours standing, and be admitted to and continuing in an undergraduate program (in this case, Environmental Studies);

Students are carefully selected on the basis of academic achievement, oral communication abilities, experience and personal characteristics relevant to the teaching profession. The BEd degree is awarded only in conjunction with an academic degree (in this case, Environmental Studies).

BES Dual Credential Programs

Dual credential programs offer students the opportunity to receive a combined university degree and a college diploma from either Seneca College or Fleming College in five years and a Graduate Certificate from Humber College in four years in what would otherwise take seven years. These accelerated programs can begin either at the respective college or at York University (with the exception of the York/Humber program) and are then completed at the partner institution. Students enrolled in dual credential programs must fulfill the dual credential program requirements of both institutions. Students enrolled in the 90-credit BES degree program are not eligible to apply to any dual credential program directly.

Students who are enrolled in FES are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits within the first three years of the dual credentials with a minimum 5.00 (C+) grade point average, including core, Faculty, area of concentration and general education requirements. They are also required to submit an application to the dual credential program at the respective college in October of their third year of study.

With the exception of the York/Humber dual credentials, students who begin their advanced diploma at the college should apply to the dual credentials with the Faculty of Environmental Studies through the normal York admission process in the final year of their diploma. Acceptance is contingent upon students successfully completing the diploma with a minimum 3.00 grade point average at the college. Successful applicants will be awarded 60 block credits toward their BES program. Students who choose to opt out of the dual credential program option at York and attend another program will have their advanced standing re-evaluated.

Students admitted to the dual credential program option directly from Seneca College or Fleming College must maintain Honours standing over the course of their studies in environmental studies; a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all courses taken at York.

Students whose cumulative grade point average is below 5.00 (C+) during their studies may proceed in an Honours program, on warning, provided they meet the specific year level progression requirements.

Vision Statement

The Bachelor in Environmental Studies (BES) program provides a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education in various fields relating to natural, built and social environments. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, critical understanding and capacity to deal effectively and sensitively with complex environmental and social challenges arising at the local, regional, national and/or global scale.

Program Structure

FES offers both the BES Specialized Honours program (120 credits) and the BES program (90 credits). Environmental Studies at FES is a combination of core courses and four distinct academic and professional Areas of Concentration (AOCs):

I. Environment and Culture:

Philosophy, Arts, Technology and Education

II. Urban and Regional Environments:

Analysis, Planning and Design

III. Environmental Politics:

Development, Globalization and Justice

IV. Environmental Management:

Policy, Resources and Conservation

The AOCs reflect FES’ broad understanding of Environmental Studies. Their coherence is established by scholarly, professional, and pragmatic considerations. Students use the AOCs to help define their own path through the program.

BES Honours Degree: Expected Learning Outcomes

The BES program is committed to preparing students to take action on critical environmental issues. Students are encouraged to explore alternatives, strategies and action related to social and environmental change. Specific learning outcomes include:

III. Understand, analyze and engage with environmental topics, especially within their identified Area of Concentration

IV. Communicate information, arguments, and analyses accurately and reliably, orally and in writing to a range of audiences

V. An understanding of the limits to their own knowledge and ability, and an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge and how this might influence analyses and interpretations

Progress through the BES Program

The BES program offers a set of core foundation courses, one in each AOC, as well as elective courses relating to natural, built or social environments. Faculty members come from a wide range of backgrounds including political science, ecology, planning, philosophy, sociology, geography, economics, education, architecture and anthropology. All share a commitment to exploring the complex questions and solutions to the human and environmental challenges facing the world. This approach provides flexibility and choice allowing students to combine many areas of interest.

In the first two years of the program, students take required courses that introduce them to the wide range of ideas in Environmental Studies while building critical academic and practical knowledge, including research, writing, analytical and communication skills. During the latter half of the first year, students begin to explore the AOCs within the BES program they will situate themselves within. In the second year, students choose two to three foundation courses, one of which is associated with the AOC which they wish to pursue in more detail in subsequent years in the BES program. A specific set of courses is associated with each AOC. The course selections within a given AOC are designed to give structure and focus to a student's program. The AOC provides in-depth knowledge related to the focal topics. The majority of courses are selected on the basis of individual preferences. The course selection process is supported by regular one-on-one consultation with the BES Student Success Coodinator.

BES Degree: Faculty Commitments

The Faculty of Environmental Studies commits to provide an intellectually-challenging and safe environment for all BES students. Specific provisions include:

While working towards the completion of their BES degree, students may opt to pursue a certificate in addition to their degree program. Students can choose from one of five areas: geographic information systems and remote sensing (GIS), community arts practice (CAP), refugee and migration studies (GSRM), sustainable energy (SE) or urban ecologies (UE). In order to do so, students are required to complete a number of required and elective courses, in addition to completing other degree requirements. Contact the FES Office of Student and Academic Services, 137 HNES or the Student Success Coordinator for more information on applying to these certificate programs.

Minimum Requirements for Multiple Certificates

Students may acquire more than one certificate during the course of their studies provided that at least 18 credits in each certificate program are unique to the specific certificate.

Residency Requirements

York University's residency requirement for undergraduate certificate programs is 18 credits for certificate programs requiring up to 36 credits, and 50 per cent of the required credits for certificates comprising more than 36 credits. Normally, for undergraduate certificate programs requiring 18 credits or less, all credits are completed at York.

The placement course is offered every term throughout the year and is open to third-year students who meet the eligibility requirements.

Placement Course Description:

The Environmental Studies placement (hereinafter "placement") is an experiential education course designed to provide Honours Bachelor in Environmental Studies (BES) students or Community Arts for Social Change Certificate students with the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a workplace environment. Through these placement opportunities, students will gain confidence in field-related knowledge, general employability skills, and valuable work experience. When course requirements are fulfilled, eligible students will enrol for either three or six credits depending on the number of hours approved for the placement.

To be eligible for the program, students must:

I. Be enrolled in full-time studies in their third year of study in the Honours Bachelor in Environmental Studies program

II. Have successfully completed between 60 and 90 credits (or will have completed 60 credits by April of their third year)

III. Have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of a B; or declared the CAP certificate

IV. Enrolled and successfully completed ENVS 4001 3.00 Professional development in the environmental sector preparation for experiential work placement

V. Have a pre-approved placement secured

Students who pursue approved placements may receive 3 or 6 credits towards their degree upon the successful completion of the placement. Approved placements require a minimum of 120 hours of work and are generally 8–12 weeks in duration (3 credits) or a minimum of 240 hours of work over 8–12 weeks (6 credits). Course/tuition fees will be subject to the student’s fee status and as approved by York University. Placements will be carried out each semester throughout the year.

In order to receive academic credit, students must enrol and register online for the course, using the York Enrolment System, go out on a pre-approved placement and fulfill the deliverables of the course. Students will be graded on a pass/fail which will be recorded on the student's transcript; so, the grade will not be included in the calculation of the student's Grade Point Average.

Students are able and encouraged to participate in paid placements. However, financial compensation is not guaranteed by York University and students should be aware that the majority of placement providers do not provide financial compensation. Students are also responsible for any incurred costs associated with the placement (e.g., licensing or travel) or any additional requirements (e.g., vaccinations). The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has information on "unpaid trainees" which is relevant.

Unlike completing requirements for an Honours degree program which refers to degree requirements (credits/courses) receiving an academic honour refers to academic excellence. The Faculty recognizes the academic excellence of its students by means of the following honours which are recorded on a student's transcript.

The Faculty of Environmental Studies follows the York University undergraduate grading scheme which awards letters ranging from A+ to F and assigns a point value from 0 to 9 to each letter grade. The various grades that may be awarded in satisfying the requirement of a BES course or assignment are outlined in the Undergraduate Handbook, available online at http://fes.yorku.ca/students/academic-resources/bes-handbooks-2/.

BES Term Work, Tests and Examinations

Term work:

Term work includes reports, assignments, essays, tests, and other written and oral work assigned in a course, with the exception of final examinations, as outlined in the approved course syllabus. Course directors set the deadlines for submission of term work. All term work must be submitted by the last day of classes of the term in which the course ends. Term work submitted after the last day of classes of the term in which the course ends will not be accepted for grading. Notwithstanding that term work will not be accepted after the last day of classes of the term in which the course ends, assignments received later than the due date will be penalized five per cent of the value of the assignment per day that their assignments are late. Exceptions to the lateness policy for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds etc. will be entertained by the course director only when supported by written documentation (e.g. a doctor's letter).

Examinations:

Examinations may be held in any BES course in such form and manner as decided by the course director and as described in the approved course syllabus. Examinations are an essential part of the learning and evaluation process. They must be conducted under fair conditions which allow students to analyze, synthesize, and demonstrate what they have learned. Disruptions or attempts to obtain an unfair advantage are offences against due academic processes and carry severe penalties.

End of term restrictions:

The total value of any test(s) or examination(s) given during the last two weeks of classes in a term must carry a combined weighting of no more than 20 per cent of the final mark for the course. Note: exceptions are made for some third- and fourth-year courses, such as seminars that often have one or two major assignments due at the end of the term.

Scheduling of tests:

Except where testing is conducted during individual appointments which accommodate a student's schedule (e.g. individually scheduled make-up tests), tests or examinations given during the term must be held within the hours regularly scheduled for the course in question.

Students' rights of refusal:

Students who are asked to write tests or examinations in contravention of the preceding two regulations may refuse to do so without academic penalty. They also have the right to raise the matter with the undergraduate program director.

General Regulations for Tests and Examinations

Identification:

Students who are being tested or examined are required to present their YU-card and/or an acceptable form of photographic identification when asked to do so by an instructor or invigilator. Acceptable forms of photographic identification include a valid driver's license with photograph attached, a valid passport or other certificate of citizenship with photograph attached.

Formally Scheduled Examinations

Final examination period:

Examination schedules:

The dates, times and places of formally scheduled examinations are published each term on the York Courses website (https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/wa/curexam). Examinations may last two or three hours. Students are responsible for making themselves aware of the appropriate examination details.

Missed examinations:

A student who misses an examination must contact the Office of Student and Academic Services or the course director or the Registrar's Office within 48 hours of the examination. A student who wishes to write a make-up examination must petition for deferred standing in the course.

Supplemental examinations or rewriting of examinations:

These are not allowed in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. Once the final examination has been written or the major paper submitted, the course is considered to be completed. Examinations or papers cannot be rewritten to improve a final grade. There shall be no rewriting to improve a mark.

Assessment of Students in BES Courses

The course director shall assess students enrolled in each BES course in light of the requirements set at the beginning of the course as articulated in the course syllabus. These assessments shall be based on a combination of tests or formal examination(s), participation in classes, term work submitted, and other evidence as determined by the course director.

Marking Scheme

Announcement in class:

The means of determining the final grade in a course shall be provided to students by the course director. Such information must include the types of assignments, essays, examinations, and other components, which make up the grade, their relative weight(s), and any other procedures, which enter into the determination of the final grade.

Subsequent changes:

In exceptional circumstances, a previously announced marking scheme for a course may be changed, but only with the consent of all students and the approval of the undergraduate program director. The course director must distribute the new marking scheme in written form to the students.

Feedback during course:

Course directors are obliged to provide a mechanism by which students can be apprised of their progress in a course and that the grading scheme (i.e. kinds and weights or assignments, essays, exams etc.) be announced, and be available in writing, within the first two weeks of class, and that, under normal circumstances, graded feedback worth at least 15 per cent of the final grade for fall, winter or summer term, and 30 per cent for “full year” courses offered in the fall/winter term be received by students in all courses prior to the final withdrawal date from a course without receiving a grade, with the following exceptions:

graduate or upper-level undergraduate courses where course work typically or at the instructor's discretion, consists of a single piece of work and/or is based predominantly (or solely) on student presentations (e.g. honours theses or graduate research papers not due by the drop date etc.);

practicum courses;

ungraded courses;

courses in Faculties where the drop date occurs within the first three weeks of classes;

courses which run on a compressed schedule (a course which accomplishes its academic credits of work at a rate of more than one credit hour per two calendar weeks).

Note: under unusual and/or unforeseeable circumstances which disrupt the academic norm, course directors are expected to provide grading schemes and academic feedback in the spirit of these regulations, as soon as possible.

Alternate Grading Method

Pass/Fail

Students in the Faculty of Environmental Studies can request a pass/fail option only after completing 24 credits. Courses taken under the pass/fail option will be annotated on their transcript as P (pass) or F (fail). Neither of these grades will be calculated into their grade point average. The following rules apply to the pass/fail option:

only students who have good academic standing may choose this option (i.e. above 4.00 (C) or 5.00 (C+) grade point average, depending on degree program);

students are required to have completed 24 credits towards an undergraduate degree program before requesting this option;

courses taken under this option may not be used to satisfy major or minor (including for-credit practica), outside-the-major required courses, courses taken to satisfy general education or certificate requirements, or required 1000-level science courses for students in the Faculties of Health and Science;

students in the Honours BES program can take a maximum of 12 credits on the pass/fail option;

students in the 90-credit BES program may take a maximum of six credits on the pass/fail option;

students who intend to take a course on the pass/fail option must confirm their eligibility to complete a course on an ungraded basis;

students must request to do so within the first two weeks of classes in the term in which the course is being offered;

students are required to complete a pass/fail application form and submit to the relevant offices – the form is available online at the Pass/Fail Option website (http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/enrol/passfail). The student will return the completed form with the course director's approval to the Faculty of Environmental Studies, Office of Student and Academic Services, 137 HNES;

students who select the pass/fail grading option can switch back to a graded option without academic penalties until the last day to drop the course.

The above items do not apply to graduate degree or diploma programs, the BEd and BEd (Technological Education) degree programs of the Faculty of Education or the JD degree program of the Osgoode Hall Law School or exchange courses taken at another institution.

Repeated Passed or Failed Courses

Students may repeat a passed or failed course twice for academic degree or certificate credit, for a maximum of three (3) attempts at a course. Students should note that course availability and space considerations may preclude the possibility of repeating a course in the session they choose.

Grade Reappraisals

Reappraisal of Final BES Course Grades

Students may, with sufficient academic grounds, request that a final grade in a course be reappraised (which may mean the review of specific pieces of tangible work). Non-academic grounds are not relevant for grade reappraisals; in such cases, students are advised to petition to their home Faculty. Students are normally expected to first contact the course director to discuss the grade received and to request that their tangible work be reviewed. Tangible work may include written, graphic, digitized, modeled, video recording or audio recording formats, but not oral work.

Students need to be aware that a request for a grade reappraisal may result in the original grade being raised, lowered or confirmed.

In the event that students are still not satisfied with the final grade or the course director is not available to review the work, they may submit in writing a formal request for a grade reappraisal to the department or unit in which the course is offered*. The Senate approved deadline for submitting grade reappraisals is within three weeks of the release of final grade reports in any term. Exercising discretion about minor delays in meeting the deadline which result from slow mail delivery or extraordinary circumstances is reasonable.

*The exceptions are as follows:

For courses offered by Osgoode Hall Law School, Schulich School of Business and the Faculty of Education, the requests for reappraisal are submitted to the office of the relevant associate dean.

If the condition of sufficient academic grounds has been met, the relevant department committee, department Chair, associate dean or graduate/undergraduate program director will be responsible for ensuring that the work is reappraised by an appropriate faculty member, ensuring anonymity of both the student and the reappraiser and for communicating the result of the reappraisal (including the reappraiser’s comments) and the route of appeal to both the student and the course director. The reappraiser will be given the nature of the assignment and the rationale for the original grade. It is expected that every effort will be made to render the decision within 30 days of the reviewer having received the work.

Date by Which to Request a Grade Reappraisal

Requests for grade reappraisals must be submitted by the scheduled date for the term in which a course is completed and the grade released.

Winter term - June 15

Summer term - September 30

Fall term - February 15

In all cases, a minimum of 21 days from the date of the release of grades will be allowed. Whenever the grade reappraisal reflects a grade change it will be annotated on the student's transcript.

Further Appeal for Reappraisal of a Final BES Course Grade

If the student is not satisfied with a reappraised final course grade, the procedure shall be as follows:

the course director and the student shall discuss the matter with the undergraduate program director, who may or may not arrange another reappraisal;

if the matter remains unresolved, the student may appeal the grade by petition on the appropriate form provided by the Office of Student and Academic Services to the Undergraduate Program Review and Admissions Subcommittee, clearly stating the grounds for appeal;

the decision of the Undergraduate Program Review and Admissions Subcommittee shall be final, and may be appealed to the FES Appeals Committee only on grounds of procedural irregularity.

Reappraisal of Grades Other Than Final Course Grades

If a student is not satisfied with any grade—other than a final course grade—received from an instructor or teaching assistant, the student is expected to discuss the matter (and at such time may request a reappraisal) with the person from whom the student received the grade, normally within two weeks. A reappraisal may result in a lower, higher or unchanged grade. If the student is not satisfied with the result of the reappraisal, the instructor or teaching assistant (where appropriate) shall discuss the matter with the course director. The course director shall decide whether or not to reappraise the student’s work and the decision is final for all grades other than final course grades.

Deferred Standing

In some cases, students may be eligible for deferred standing (an extension) allowing additional time to write a test or final examination or to complete an assignment after the University's deadline for submission of term work. Senate policy states that students must request deferred standing through the department responsible for the course within one week following a missed examination or the last day to submit course work.

Students are responsible for ensuring that full documentation (medical or other) is provided in support of a petition for deferred standing. Application forms are available online at the Deferred Standing Web page (http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/exams/deferred).

Aegrotat Standing

In cases where a student cannot be expected to complete the work for a course, the phrase “aegrotat standing” (from the Latin for "she/he is ill") is substituted for a grade on the transcript. Aegrotat standing is seldom granted, and only in exceptional circumstances where deferred standing is inappropriate. For more information, please contact your course director.

Students whose academic record does not meet Faculty standards are subject to the academic penalties of academic warning, required withdrawal, debarment warning, debarment and academic probation.

Academic Warning

Students whose overall cumulative grade point average falls below 4.00 (C) at the end of any session or who enter the Faculty with a grade point average equivalent to less than 4.00 (C) on the York University undergraduate grading scheme, receive an academic warning. Students who receive an academic warning must achieve an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 4.00 (C) within the next 24 credits taken or must earn a sessional grade point average of at least 5.00 (C+) in the session in which the 24th credit is completed and in each subsequent session until the cumulative average reaches 4.00 (C) or be required to withdraw.

Required Withdrawal

Students whose academic record show marked weaknesses may be required to withdraw from their studies for one year, during which time they are encouraged to identify and remedy any problems which may have contributed to their failure to perform up to their potential, and to reflect on their reasons for pursuing a university education. The following regulations apply to required withdrawals:

Grade Point Average Below 3.00 (D+)

Students whose cumulative grade point average on at least 24 credits is below 3.00 must withdraw for 12 months.

Grade Point Average Below 4.00 (C) and Greater than 3.00 (D+)

Students who have received an academic warning for a cumulative grade point average below 4.00 (C) must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 4.00 (C) within their next 24 credits taken or earn a sessional grade point average of at least 5.00 (C+) in the session in which the 24th credit is completed and in each subsequent session until the cumulative average reaches 4.00 (C); otherwise, they must withdraw for 12 months. Should the student’s cumulative grade point average fall below 3.00 (D+) at any time after completion of 24 credits, they will be required to withdraw.

Petition to Continue Without Interruption

Students who have been required to withdraw may submit a petition to the Faculty of Environmental Studies Undergraduate Academic Review and Admission Sub-Committee requesting permission to continue their studies without interruption. For further information, contact the Office of Student and Academic Services, 137 HNES.

Reactivation after Required Withdrawal

Students who have been required to withdraw may apply for reactivation (to continue their studies) after the requisite period of absence by submitting a request online at the Reactivation Web page (http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/enrol/reactivate/index.htm). Students who return to their studies after such a required withdrawal (as well as those who have been allowed to continue their studies by virtue of a petition to the FES Petitions Committee) will receive a debarment warning.

Debarment Warning

Students who have been required to withdraw from the Faculty of Environmental Studies or from another Faculty at York or elsewhere receive will a debarment warning upon returning or continuing their studies in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. Students on a debarment warning must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 4.00 (C) within the next 24 credits taken or earn a sessional grade point average of at least 5.00 (C+) in the session in which the 24th credit is completed and in each subsequent session until their cumulative average reaches 4.00 (C), and must then maintain this average. Students who do not fulfill these conditions will be debarred from the University. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 (D+) at any time while on a debarment warning will be debarred.

Debarment

Students who have already been required to withdraw because of their unsatisfactory academic record and whose record does not show improvement will be debarred from the University. Debarment, the minimum period for which is normally two years, means that a student is no longer a student at York University.

Petition to Continue Without Interruption

Students who have been debarred may submit a petition to the Faculty of Environmental Studies Petitions Committee requesting permission to continue their studies without interruption. For further information, contact the Office of Student and Academic Services, 137 HNES.

Reapplying After Debarment

Students who have been debarred and who wish to resume their studies must apply for admission through the Admissions Office and must provide persuasive evidence that they are ready and able to complete a degree program.

Academic Probation

Students who have been debarred and who subsequently resume their studies in the Faculty of Environmental Studies – by petitioning to continue without interruption or by reapplying for admission - receive an academic probation. The conditions for continuing on an academic probation are the same as those for a debarment warning.

Breach of Academic Honesty

Conduct that violates the ethical or legal standards of the University community is a serious matter. In particular, any breach of academic honesty is a most serious offence to both the University community and the academic enterprise. Therefore, all faculty members are required to treat any breach of academic honesty, no matter how small the breach may appear, as a most serious matter demanding most thorough investigation. The rules embodied in the University Senate Policy on Academic Honesty and the Procedures Governing Breach of Academic Honesty apply to all BES students and are described in the University Policies section of this publication.

In the Faculty of Environmental Studies it is a serious offence against academic honesty, among other things, to cheat, to impersonate, to plagiarize or misappropriate the work of others, to practice improper research procedures, to be dishonest in publication, to aid and abet academic misconduct or to undertake any other action that runs counter to academic honesty. In addition, some forms of breach of academic honesty might constitute offences under the Criminal Code of Canada. While the pressures of school may be such that a student may feel pressured to breach academic honesty, students must completely resist such pressures. Students who are unsure of what may constitute a breach of academic honesty should consult with the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty (in the University Policies and Regulations section) or with the Faculty of Environmental Studies Office of Student and Academic Services.

Academic standing depends on several factors, including the number of courses a student has passed, the grade point average achieved during a particular session (sessional grade point average) and the overall grade point average (cumulative grade point average).

Honours BES Degree

Qualifying for Honours: Students with no Previous Postsecondary Education

Students who are admitted to the Faculty of Environmental Studies with no prior experience at a postsecondary educational institution (such as a university or college) are automatically enrolled in an Honours program.

Transfer Students

Students who are admitted to the Faculty of Environmental Studies with prior experience at a postsecondary educational institution are required to enrol in the Honours program if their prior cumulative grade point average (including failed courses) is at least the equivalent of 5.00 (C+) on the York scale.

Note: courses taken at other postsecondary institutions are not calculated as part of the student’s grade point average at York, nor do they appear on the York University transcript.

To continue in an Honours program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 5.00 (C+). Students whose cumulative grade point averages fall below 5.00 (C+) during the course of their studies may proceed in an Honours program, on warning, provided that they meet the year level progression requirements as set out below.

Year Level

Credit Range

CGPA

1

0 to 23

4.00

2

24 to 53

4.25

3

54 to 83

4.80

4

84 to 120

5.00

Students must successfully complete (pass) at least 120 credits, meet Faculty and program requirements, and achieve a CGPA of 5.00 (C+) for all courses taken to satisfy their program in order to graduate with an Honours degree. Students who are permitted to continue in an Honours program on warning will be required to attend an advising appointment with their adviser.

Ineligibility to Continue in Honours

Students who do not meet the conditions outlined above may continue their studies only in the Bachelor’s 90 credit degree program. Students will be automatically transferred to the Bachelor’s program.

Graduating in Honours

To graduate from an Honours program, students must successfully complete (pass) at least 120 credits which meet the Faculty of Environmental Studies' program requirements. The cumulative grade point average for all courses taken must be at least 5.00 (C+).

Courses Taken Beyond the Normal Maximum

Students in an Honours BES program who successfully complete more than 120 credits and whose cumulative grade point average is at least 5.00 (C+) will have all credits counted towards their Honours BES and their cumulative grade point average.

Opting to Graduate in the BES Program – 90 credit

Students registered in the 120-credit Honours program may opt to graduate with a 90-credit degree if they fulfill those program requirements. Students who wish to take advantage of this option should complete the relevant online application form on the York Convocation website http://www.yorku.ca/mygrad/preparing/apply/ by early December for graduation the following spring or by mid-August for graduation the following fall (refer to the 90-credit program requirements).

Students registered in an Honours BES program whose cumulative grade point average after completion of 90 credits falls below 5.00 (C+), but remains 4.00 (C) or above, may request to graduate with a 90-credit BES degree if they fulfill the degree requirements or may continue in the program until the requirements for the 90-credit degree are fulfilled. They may not continue in an Honours program and they may not take extra courses in a subsequent session in an effort to raise their cumulative grade point average to re-enter the Honours program.

Re-entering Honours

Students who are ineligible to continue in the Honours program because their cumulative grade point average has fallen below the minimum requirement as outlined above may re-enter the Honours BES program only if they raise their cumulative grade point average to 5.00 (C+) or above by the time they have successfully completed their 90th credit.

BES Degree

Students must successfully complete (pass) courses for at least 90 credits which meet the bachelor of environmental studies program requirements. The cumulative grade point average for all courses taken must be at least 4.00 (C).

Courses Taken Beyond the Normal Maximum - in Order to Raise Cumulative Grade Point Average

Students in the BES program who have passed 90 credits in accordance with the Faculty of Environmental Studies program requirements, but whose cumulative grade point average is below 4.00 (C), may attempt to raise their average to 4.00 (C) by taking up to 12 additional credits, to a maximum of 102 credits. These courses must be above the 1000 level and a minimum of six credits must be taken in FES; regulations on equivalent and excluded courses apply.

Courses Taken Beyond the Normal Maximum

Students in the BES program who successfully complete more than 90 credits and whose cumulative grade point average is at least 4.00 (C) and less than 5.00 (C+) will have all credits counted towards their BES degree and their cumulative grade point average.

Transferring to Honours

Students in the BES 90-credit program who become eligible for the Honours program due to a higher grade point average, will automatically be transferred to the Honours BES degree program. Students who have graduated from the Faculty of Environmental Studies with a 90-credit BES degree and whose record makes them eligible for an Honours BES may apply to the Faculty to pursue the Honours degree.

Academic Standing Requirements for Visiting Students

Individuals who wish to enrol in undergraduate credit courses, but who do not intend to complete a degree or a certificate may be admitted to York as a visiting student (see the Admissions section for more information). There are three categories of visiting students:

those who hold an undergraduate degree (three-year bachelor's degree minimum) from an accredited university/university-level institution;

those who do not hold an undergraduate degree but wish to enrol in York courses to fulfill the academic, upgrading or professional development requirements of a professional designation;

those who are currently attending another recognized university and wish to take York courses on a letter of permission issued by their home institution.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

Students in categories A and B whose overall cumulative grade point average (OCGPA) falls below 4.00 (C) based on a minimum of 24 credits will not be allowed to enrol in any subsequent session as visiting students. Students who are not permitted to re-enrol must apply for re-admission through the Admissions Office.

Note: repeated course legislation does not apply to visiting students but only to academic degrees and certificates. Therefore, all courses attempted or taken will count in the OCGPA.

Credit Limits

Students in category B who have maintained an OCGPA of 4.00 (C) or higher throughout their studies and who have completed 30 credits will not be allowed to enrol in subsequent sessions and must either reactivate to proceed as visiting students or may choose to apply for admission to a degree or certificate program. This pause allows students in category B an opportunity to reconsider options to apply to degree studies given the transfer credit implications.

Simultaneous Enrolment Guidelines

The Faculty of Environmental Studies does not permit students to enrol in courses that are conflicting with each other. Students cannot enrol in two or more courses in the same term that are offered on the same day and time.

Students who undertake such schedules should be advised that there will be no special arrangements and/or support by Course Directors. Course directors are under no obligation to grant extensions for assignments/exams and/or tests that conflict as a result of double course enrolment. Students are expected to be in class regularly, hand in assignments on time and write the exam/test on its scheduled time. A petition to undertake such schedules in which course conflicts occur or to seek accommodation for such conflicts will not be supported by the Faculty.

It is critical that students enrolled in the BES program attend a mandatory group advising meeting held annually in February and March with the Student Success Coordinator. Following the group session, students submit a completed BES program checklist.

At the advising meeting, students discuss program objectives, future course selections, degree and certificate program options as well as how to complete the program checklist.

The program checklist is extremely important; it is a tool used by students to track their degree progress and to ensure they meet their BES degree requirements including their declared Area of Concentration. Each student, upon completion of their first year and each subsequent year thereafter is required to complete a BES program checklist in full and submit to the Student Success Coordinator by the end of April.

After attending the mandatory group advising session, students who need additional assistance can schedule an appointment with the Student Success Coordinator. Receiving an individual appointment is contingent upon confirmation of attendance in one of the group advising sessions.

Neglecting to submit a properly completed program checklist to the Student Success Coordinator for approval may result in a delay in course registration for the fall/winter term. Furthermore, it may prohibit students from enrolling in their desired or required courses.

Students in their final year of study must attend the mandatory group advising session, complete the BES program checklist and then must book an individual appointment with the Student Success Coordinator. Receiving an individual appointment is contingent upon confirmation of attendance in one of the group advising sessions. The BES program checklist must be completed in full prior to the individual appointment to be reviewed with the Student Success Coordinator.

Advising appointments can be made through the Student Success Coordinator, room 137 HNES or by phone at 416-736-2100 ext. 33510. Students who fail to follow the above—namely, have a group advising appointment and hand in a completed BES program checklist—will be blocked from enrolment and registration for the fall/winter sessions.